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A GHS student attempts to walk the line wearing "drunk goggles."

On May 7, Goshen High School students in Shannan Magnetico’s Health class learned about the impairments and dangers caused by alcohol while wearing Fatal Vision Goggles, also referred to as “drunk goggles.”

By wearing the goggles, students were able to view the effects of impairment, including reduced alertness, slowed reaction time, confusion, visual distortion, alteration of depth and distance perception, reduction of peripheral vision, double vision and lack of muscular coordination.

The goggles were provided by Officer Anthony Pitt from the Village of Goshen Police Department. Officer Pitt taped a line along the floor and asked students to walk the line while wearing the goggles. He also played “catch” with students using a tennis ball.

The students found it highly difficult to walk in a straight line and even more difficult to catch and throw the tennis ball. Many times, students would toss the ball back to Officer Pitt but would hit an innocent computer or filing cabinet about three feet away.

The “drunk goggles” exercise was one of several activities that addressed drug and alcohol abuse, as well as other important topics, during the week leading up to the Senior Prom. Other activities included a presentation by Christopher DeVitt, who in 2006, killed his friend while driving under the influence; discussions with Joe Palancia, who works in the high school’s student services department, about the issues surrounding low self-esteem and drug abuse; and a visit from Nicole Powell, sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) coordinator, about rape/date rape and the crisis services offered by the Mental Health Association of Orange County.